Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Tony Cameranesi scored 5 goals with 2 assists in 25 games as a sophomore for Wayzata (MN) High School.

2009-10: Cameranesi scored 18 goals with 31 assists in 28 games (including the state tournament) as a junior for Wayzata. Wayzata, after winning the Classic Lake Conference title and finishing 20-2-3 in the regular season, fell to Eden Prairie in the second round of the state tournament. He was selected by the Waterloo Black Hawks in the fifth round (61st overall) of the USHL Entry Draft.

2010-11: Cameranesi scored 18 goals with 19 assists in 24 games in the pre-season Upper Midwest Elite Hockey League and then scored 17 goals with 46 assists for Wayzata HS as a senior. Cameranesi, Wild prospect Mario Lucia, and Tyler Klein formed one of the top lines in Minnesota high school hockey as Wayzata advanced to the Section 6AA finals before falling to Lake Conference rival and eventual state champion Eden Prairie in a classic, double overtime contest. Cameranesi is committed to playing college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth in 2012-13. Cameranesi was selected by the Maple Leafs in the 5th round (130th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft.

2011-12: Cameranesi was the third-leading scorer for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks and played for the USA at the 2011 U19 World Junior A Challenge. In 55 regular season games he scored 18 goals with 24 assists and was -9 with 47 penalty minutes. After finishing third in the Western Conference in the regular season the Black Hawks advanced to the Clark Cup Final against Eastern Conference champion Green Bay. Cameranesi scored 1 goal with 5 assists and was +1 with 4 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games. He scored 1 goal with 1 assist and had 4 penalty minutes skating for the USA at the WJAC.

2012-13: Cameranesi was named to the WCHA’s All-Rookie team after skating in 38 games for Minnesota-Duluth as a freshman. He shared the scoring lead for the Bulldogs with senior Mike Seidel and fellow freshman Austin Farley as all three finished with 34 points. Cameranesi scored 14 goals with a team-high 20 assists and was +1 with 28 penalty minutes. Seven of his 14 goals came on the power play. UMD struggled for much of the season, finishing ninth in the WCHA, and was swept by Wisconsin in the first round of the WCHA tournament. The Bulldogs failed to win 20 games for the first time since 2007-08.

2013-14: Cameranesi skated for the University of Minnesota-Duluth as a sophomore. One of five players to skate in all 36 games, He struggled to match the offensive numbers of his freshman season, finishing with 7 goals and 14 assists, and was -1 with 19 penalty minutes. The Bulldogs tied Western Michigan for fourth place in the inaugural season of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and were swept by the Broncos in a best-of-three NCHC quarterfinal series.

2014-15: Cameranesi was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer in his junior season at Minnesota-Duluth. He scored nine goals with a team-high 21 assists and was +5 with 16 penalty minutes in 40 games. UM-D finished fifth in the National College Hockey Conference, winning 20 games in the regular season. The Bulldogs received an at-large bid to the NCAA Northeast Regional after being swept by fourth-place Denver in the NCHC quarterfinals, defeating Minnesota before falling to Boston University, 3-2, in the regional final. Cameranesi had a goal and an assist in the win over the Gophers.

2015-16: Cameranesi signed an amateur tryout contract with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in March 2016 following his senior season at Minnesota-Duluth, skating in six regular season games with the Marlies. He scored 2 goals and was +2 with no penalties. Toronto finished first in the North Division and reached the Eastern Conference finals. Cameranesi did not appear in any playoff games. He was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer for the second straight year as Minnesota-Duluth came within one game of the Frozen Four. In 38 games he scored 11 goals with 28 assists and was +24 with 14 penalty minutes. After struggling for much of the season, the Bulldogs won seven games down the stretch, defeating eventual national champion North Dakota, 4-2, in the NCHC semifinals before losing, 3-1, to St. Cloud State in the conference final. UM-D received an at-large berth in the NCAA Northeast Regional, defeating defending national champion Providence, 2-1 in overtime, before falling to Boston College, 3-2.

Talent Analysis

Cameranesi is not very big but what he lacks in size he makes up for with speed and skill. He will likely need to find an offensive niche at the pro level but that is not a slight at his game away from the puck; rather his lack of bulk may make it difficult to compete with bigger, stronger opponents. His offensive skills are well-documented, but he needs to add strength and move the puck more efficiently.

Future

Cameranesi was one of three Maple Leafs' prospects to skate for Minnesota-Duluth in 2015-16 along with junior center Dominic Toninato and goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo, who signed a contract with Toronto as a free agent following his sophomore year. The Bulldogs' leading scorer, Cameranesi played six games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies following the Bulldogs' NCAA tournament run. He has yet to sign an entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs and would become an unrestricted free agent if not signed. Cameranesi projects as a Stephen Gionta/Nathan Gerbe-type forward at the NHL level. It is equally likely he will be heavily pursued by clubs in Europe where former Bulldogs Jack Connolly and Mike Connolly have had success.

Photo: Defenseman Morgan Rielly has experienced a lot of ups and downs in his first NHL season. Rielly has recorded two goals and 18 assists through 54 games with the Maple Leafs. (courtesy of Abelimages/Getty Images)

Outside of Nazem Kadri and the soon-to-graduate Morgan Rielly, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been void of big-name prospects for a few years. Moreover, they have lacked the prospect depth of most other NHL teams, either as a result of trading picks or players not yet meeting their potential.

Photo: Forward Spencer Abbott has been a standout for the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Abbott is in his second full season of professional hockey. (courtesy of Abelimages/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs strong start can be attributed to the depth they have accumulated over previous seasons. Under general manager Dave Nonis, the Maple Leafs continue to foster the development of their youth in hopes they will one day become NHL players.

Photo: Forward Frederik Gauthier was the first selection the Maple Leafs made in the 2013 NHL Draft. Gauthier is a big-bodied forward who plays a good two-way game. (courtesy of Chris So/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Slow and steady development remains the course of action for the Toronto Maple Leafs entering the 2013-14 season. With a patient approach to their draft picks over the last few seasons, the club is now in a large transition phase at the AHL level.

Photo: Goaltender Garret Sparks had a breakout season in 2012-13, posting a 36 wins and 2.65 goals against average. Sparks was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Draft. (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Photo: Defenseman Andrew MacWilliam recently signed an entry-level deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. MacWilliam spent the season playing for North Dakota. (courtesy of Scott A. Schneider/Getty Images)

The Maple Leafs have several prospects playing at the NCAA and European level. Tony Cameranesi boasts the most impressive season out of any NCAA prospect, while a strong performance from Swedish defenseman Tom Nilsson has earned him an entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs. All three of the Maple Leafs European prospects are Swedish.